Delta Dental of California, Delta Dental Insurance Company, Delta Dental of Pennsylvania and affiliates
Delta Dental of California, Delta Dental Insurance Company, Delta Dental of Pennsylvania and affiliates
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There is an oral health crisis for seniors
Even though seniors need greater attention on their oral health, a stunning 80% of them do not see a dentist as often as recommended. This is due to a number of factors including cost, availability of transportation, lack of insurance and more. As a result, many seniors experience undiagnosed gum disease and tooth loss, which can lead to poor nutrition and more serious health issues such as heart disease and Alzheimer’s.
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62% of older adults nationwide have no dental insurance coverage.
Source: Manski & Rohde, 2017
2 in 3 seniors have gum disease, increasing risk of heart disease and cognitive decline.
Source: NCHS Data Brief, 2015
Black and Hispanic/Latino seniors experience untreated tooth decay at two to three times the rate of the general population.
Our mission
Our mission is to build partnerships to improve the quality of life for vulnerable seniors by transforming access to and quality of oral health care in their communities.
Challenges faced. Solutions found.
Here’s how our partners have helped improve seniors’ access to care:
83% of SOHP patients have incomes below the poverty line.
34% of patients are uninsured, but receive care regardless.
11,000+ unique older adults served.
79% of patients have established a dental home with a SOHP partner.
Building trust at a community level
Through SOHP, Delta Dental and our community partners are working across four mutually reinforcing pillars to create lasting change for healthier aging.
Expanded access to affordable, quality oral health care for older adults experiencing the highest barriers to care.
SOHP partners educate older adults and provide connections to services in community settings.
Students entering dental professions receive training in the care of older adults, in the classroom and the clinic.
Partners advocate on behalf of older adults, sharing their stories to shape policies and systems impacting access to care.
In the community
Since 2022, we have partnered with organizations in four different areas nationwide. Here’s how that looks at a local level:
Community partners
Other senior care partners
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Get the latest
Read the full 2024-2025 Senior Oral Health Partnership Program Annual Report and learn about the Delta Dental Senior Oral Health Model: a replicable framework for community-driven oral health transformation, built from three years of real-world partnership.
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“Our vision from the beginning has been to seed community-led solutions, build trust-based partnerships, and center equity in every decision. The health and dignity of older adults cannot wait.”
Kenzie Ferguson
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Partner with us
Are you a policy maker or advocate? Community health partner? Funder? Researcher or academic?
SOHP can help you serve the communities you work with. Talk to our foundation team to learn more.